Meowing is one of the most endearing aspects of domesticated felines, better known as house cats. Recently, viral memes have been spreading on social media stating that cats only meow at people, but is it true that cats only meow at humans? Do cats ever meow to each other or to other animals? While not all social media memes can be trusted, it turns out that this viral meme is based on a true event. It is true that cats only meow at humans. but why do cats only meow at humans?
cats meow at humans
The internet is a very cat-friendly place. While there are plenty of online forums and groups dedicated to dogs, very few canines have become as much a part of viral memes as several notable cats have. keyboard cat, grumpy cat, maru and lil bub are all cats whose image gained viral traction online, resulting in a unique form of feline celebrity status. Unlike famous TV dogs like Wishbone or Lassie, these cats weren’t playing a role but just being themselves. their unique appearances and behaviors led to their use in popular memes and even ad campaigns.
Some of these cats are known for their distinctive and adorable meows. lil bub in particular has an especially cute but unusual meow. many cat owners are also delighted by the meows of their own cats. That’s not a coincidence. adult cats meow only at humans and for good evolutionary reasons.
do cats meow only at humans?
so why do cats only meow at humans? According to the aspca, while “kittens meow to let their mother know they are cold or hungry, but once they get a little older, cats no longer meow to other cats. but they continue to meow at people throughout their lives.”
but just because cats don’t meow to each other doesn’t mean they don’t communicate with each other. purina explains how “adult cats, who live separately from humans, have very clear communication with each other. cat language is spoken primarily through scent, then through facial expression, complex body language, and touch.”
the reason cats meow exclusively at humans is simply because “cat language” doesn’t work with people! Purina further explains how a “cat is dependent on [its owner] and quickly learns that “humans aren’t good” at picking up on scent messages…or the body language [the cat] is trying to use…so the meow becomes a second language to communicate with [people]. Some scientists would go so far as to say that cats have refined their meows specifically to manipulate people.”
Just like different words in any language, cats use different meow sounds with different meanings. a short meow is a simple greeting, such as “hello!” while a long or medium-pitched meow indicates a demand such as food or to be let out, a high-pitched meow indicates distress such as pain or anger.
Remember also that meowing isn’t the only way a cat communicates with people. Purring is another adorable sound cats make that indicates comfort and happiness. hissing is a famous way cats warn others, including humans, to stay away.
